Inside Naomi Osaka’s post-baby tennis comeback: the four-time grand slam winner, who made headlines as a mental health advocate, returned to the international circuit this year – and is crushing it

May 19 , 2024

Four-time grand slam winner and new mum Naomi Osaka returned to the international circuit in Brisbane this month following a 15-month hiatus. Photo: @naomiosaka/Instagram

The Japanese-Haitian-American player posted three solid wins at the recent Italian Open, cementing a post-baby comeback begun at the Brisbane International in January

Osaka captured the world’s attention in 2018 when she beat tennis GOAT Serena Williams, but she pulled out of major tournaments in 2021 and 2022 – kicking off a global discussion about mental health

Since her dramatic debut in 2018, Naomi Osaka has conquered the courts with her powerful strokes as “one of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis”, per Business Insider. More recently, she has emerged as a powerful voice for change and mental health advocacy in tennis.

After Osaka pulled out of major tournaments in 2021 and 2022, and gave birth to her first child last year, 2024 is the year of her return to the international circuit. The Japanese-Haitian-American made a more than decent showing at this month’s Italian Open in Rome – posting three solid wins before exiting in the fourth round, and told her fans on X, “I hope you enjoyed watching the tennis as much as I enjoyed playing it because I had a ball.”

Between competing in Brisbane in January and Rome this month, Osaka played at the Australian Open, the Qatar Ladies Open, Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open. But how did the tennis prodigy get her start, and how has she made the journey to mental health advocacy, motherhood and this year’s comeback? Here’s what you need to know …

Journey to stardom

Naomi Osaka celebrates winning the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Osaka’s meteoric rise to fame began with her WTA Tour debut in July 2014, the then 16-year-old displaying a powerful blend of athleticism, grace and determination. Her breakout moment happened in September 2018 when, aged 20, Osaka triumphed over her childhood idol, Serena Williams, in a controversial and emotionally charged US Open final. The victory not only earned Osaka the title of grand slam champion but also signalled her arrival as a force to be reckoned with.

Naomi Osaka at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. Photo: @naomiosaka/Instagram

As her career soared, so did Osaka’s influence off the court. She quickly became a symbol of diversity, proudly representing her Japanese and Haitian heritage.

Mental health advocacy

Naomi Osaka shared a photo of herself in holiday mode in March 2021. Photo: @naomiosaka/Instagram

A vocal supporter of efforts to destigmatise mental health challenges, Osaka uses her platform to shed light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by athletes specifically and individuals more generally. Her decision to withdraw from major tournaments in 2021 – including the French Open and Wimbledon – to prioritise her mental well-being sparked a global conversation on the significance of mental health in the high-pressure world of professional sport.

Taking a step back

Naomi Osaka became a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton in January 2021. Photo: @naomiosaka/Instagram

The last memory of Osaka etched in the minds of tennis enthusiasts is probably the 2022 Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, when she entered the competition ranked No. 48. Ahead of her second-round clash against Beatriz Haddad Maia, Osaka unexpectedly withdrew from the tournament due to abdominal pain. Little did anyone know that this pivotal moment on the court would mark the beginning of a joyous personal chapter for the tennis star.

Naomi Osaka gave birth to her first child, with rapper Cordae Amari Dunston, in July 2023. Photo: @naomiosaka/Instagram